Springfield's Football Coach Is Leaving

Dan Ellis is going to remember his time and what he built at . It was, after all, his first head coaching position. The former Downingtown High standout revived a dormant Springfield program into becoming a league contender, and now he’s counting on doing the same at West Chester East.

Ellis was approved by the West Chester School Board Monday night to become the new head football coach of the Vikings next season. Ellis, a state high school champion at Downingtown and two-year starting quarterback at Virginia, will take over the Vikings for Doug Costin, who finished 2-9 overall last year and was 0-6 in the Ches-Mont League.

In three years at Springfield, Ellis transformed a two-win program the year before he took over into a District 1 Class AAA playoff team last year. He finished 17-17 overall at Springfield, but not before he guided the Cougars to a history-making run that saw them win their first district playoff game last season.

The Cougars ended the 2010-11 season with an 8-4 overall mark, losing to Central League rival Strath Haven in the district semifinals.

At Springfield, Ellis developed a high-powered offense, and he also developed star players like tailback Matt Craig (pictured), who broke a number of school rushing records.

“I’m very proud of what we did at Springfield,” said Ellis, who will joined by a number of coaches on his staff. “From where we were to where we finished, I think it speaks more about the kids we had in the program than anything I did or our staff did. It tells you we had character kids, and I know that’s what I’ll be getting here at West Chester East.”

Ellis will also be getting a more comfortable personal situation. He has two young sons, three and six, and his wife is expecting the family’s third child in August. Ellis took the two-hour round trip trek each day, and part of the reason he’s taking the job at West Chester is because it’s closer to home.

“Springfield is a great situation, a great school, and a great administration,” said Ellis, who will teach social studies at West Chester East. “I needed to find an opportunity to get closer to home, and a great situation. West Chester East provides both for me. They have a great sports tradition there, and I would be getting home to see my kids.

“During football season there isn’t a whole lot of daddy time. Because of the commute, I was just getting home in time to put the kids to bed. My wife deserves better, and my children do, too, especially with a third child on the way. It’s really a great situation all around. I’m ready for the challenge. I’m obviously more prepared for this than I was when I went into the Springfield job three years ago.”

Ellis was an all-state quarterback at Downingtown, who led the Whippets to a state championship in 1996 and was the Associated Press Player of the Year in Pennsylvania.

He was one of the most prolific quarterbacks in southeastern Pennsylvania history, holding a number of Downingtown school records that have since been broken by Pat Devlin. Ellis threw 30 touchdowns and just five interceptions his senior year and ran for 22 touchdowns.

Ellis said he plans on tendering his official resignation at Springfield this week after he signs his contract with West Chester East.